Scan barcode
jillaay_h's review against another edition
challenging
dark
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cultural appropriation, Death, Racial slurs, Cancer, Classism, Alcohol, Racism, Drug use, Suicide, Terminal illness, Death of parent, Medical content, Mental illness, and Violence
onkenzisshelf's review against another edition
challenging
inspiring
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
What I Liked:
- Everything. Seriously, this book was incredible.
- This was SUCH a good look into racism and ableism in the workforce, as well as a good picture of how greed and money can change someone.
- This book made me uncomfortable and made me think, for all of the right reasons.
- I HATED the characters I was supposed to hate, and loved the ones I was supposed to love. The author rounded his characters out beautifully.
- The narrator of this one was FABULOUS. One of the best narrators I've listened to.
You Should Read If You Like:
- If you're working towards antiracism, I highly suggest this one.
- DEFINITELY look at the TWs before picking this one up.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Racial slurs, Ableism, Toxic friendship, Mental illness, Emotional abuse, Drug abuse, Death of parent, Cultural appropriation, Alcohol, and Addiction
Moderate: Torture
cavernism's review against another edition
dark
funny
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
It felt bizarre to read this book that's published in 2021, because it feels like it was written 5 years ago and so a lot of the details feel out of date - like the start-up company's "crazy" idea is basically BetterHelp/online therapy - not exactly groundbreaking or new. The "amazing" salary Darren is offered is $40,000 a year plus a bonus. I live in the Midwest and 40k is not a big salary...I can't imagine it would cover costs in New York City.
I'm pretty okay with things in satire being exaggerated/over-the-top - that's the point. I'm not okay with setting up promises to the reader - "This character is going to put these other character in situations where they'll have to use sales techniques" and then ignore them - "the characters will actually just panic and run away." This situation happens twice in the space of a few pages.
And then, there's the Supportive Girlfriend. Her characterization is basically being curvaceous and going to nursing school and supporting her boyfriend. I'm over it.
There were things I enjoyed - I definitely wasn't sure where the plot was going to go so that made it at a fast read, but overall it ended up being a frustrating read, and the fact that the marketing compared this book to the movie Sorry to Bother You made this feel even weaker, because Sorry to Bother You is a much more inventive, strange, and memorable story about race and capitalism.
And then, there's the Supportive Girlfriend. Her characterization is basically being curvaceous and going to nursing school and supporting her boyfriend. I'm over it.
There were things I enjoyed - I definitely wasn't sure where the plot was going to go so that made it at a fast read, but overall it ended up being a frustrating read, and the fact that the marketing compared this book to the movie Sorry to Bother You made this feel even weaker, because Sorry to Bother You is a much more inventive, strange, and memorable story about race and capitalism.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Bullying
Moderate: Ableism, Xenophobia, Torture, Sexism, Mental illness, Islamophobia, Emotional abuse, and Death of parent
More...